The Feast Of The Immaculate Conception Isn't What You Think It's About

Let's not get into the ins and outs of whether the actual idea behind all this stuff is complete bullshit or not, I'm just here to spread a bit of knowledge, y'all.

Today, being 8 December, is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception; historically the biggest culchie shopping day in Dublin. But what is the 'feast' about, other than shopping?

Most of us assume it's about when Mary was miraculously impregnated by Gabriel or Bono or someone like that but then how on earth could she give birth to Jesus within the space of three weeks?

I'm mean I know he's the son of God or whatever but let's not be silly.

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is actually about Mary's conception. A conception even more holy than that romantic night the Beckhams had in Brooklyn. Mary was conceived in a completely normal fashion (her parents Joachim and Anne paid their money to the stork and what not) but at the moment it happened God landed in and decided to keep her immaculate for all time.

And that's what Catholics are celebrating today. The feast that most people think it is - that being the virginal conception of Jesus - is actually called the Annunciation and is celebrated in March.

So there you go. Don't say I never teach you anything.